By Memorial Day Monday. I went to Larry's grave alone. I said, "Dad. They graduated. Both of your boys graduated." I put flowers on the grave. I sat. I drove home.
Gayle was exhausted all week after graduation. She slept long. She ate less. I worried. She rallied by Thursday. I stopped worrying in my face. I did not stop worrying inside.
Drove Wednesday, short.
Book two copyedits came back. 340 changes. I am working through them.
Sunday: fried chicken.
By Sunday I needed to cook something real. The week had been heavy — Memorial Day at Larry’s grave, watching Gayle sleep too long and eat too little, working through 340 copyedit changes one by one. Getting into the kitchen and doing something with my hands, something with a defined beginning and end, felt like the right way to close it out. This stir-fry is fast and purposeful, which was exactly what I needed: something that asked just enough of me to feel useful.
Asparagus Turkey Stir-Fry
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb turkey breast, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the turkey. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced turkey with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, the cornstarch, and black pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
- Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth. Set aside.
- Cook the turkey. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the turkey in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then stir and cook another 1–2 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook the asparagus. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the asparagus and stir-fry over high heat for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and just tender-crisp.
- Add aromatics. Push the asparagus to the edges of the pan and add the garlic and ginger to the center. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and finish. Return the turkey to the pan. Pour the sauce over everything and toss to coat. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is heated through.
- Serve. Spoon over rice and garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 275 | Protein: 33g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 13g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 590mg